OREANDA-NEWS. September 04, 2014. The plan for the restoration and partial reconstruction of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio was presented before the L'Aquila Mayor, Massimo Cialente, and Eni’s Chief Downstream & Industrial Operations Officer, Salvatore Sardo.

The project stems from a unique collaboration between a number of institutions: the Cultural Heritage Office of Abruzzo has been entrusted with the design, construction management and safety coordination elements of the project, whilst the technical and scientific aspects will be provided by a group of universities (Politecnico di Milano, La Sapienza University in Rome and the University of L'Aquila), all of which will be complemented by Eni geologists and engineers. This alliance between public administration, universities, the town council and Eni offers a working example of efficiency in which Eni will contribute its organisational excellence, high quality systems for the management of complex projects and the application of the most advanced mining technologies.

Eni intends return the restored Basilica of Collemaggio to the L'Aquila community, in full respect of its religious and historic significance. Following the Memorandum of Understanding "Starting Afresh from Collemaggio" signed in 2012, historical research and technical surveys were conducted, with all working and final design phases now completed.

At present, a call for tenders is underway with a view to appointing a contractor and commencing the construction phase, which should be completed by late 2016.

Given the Basilica's rich cultural assets, preliminary studies have focussed on safeguarding its historical, cultural, structural and functional elements. Moreover, restoration will be kept to the bare minimum so as to preserve the building's original features wherever possible. An extremely detailed digital model of the Basilica, supported by an extensive  database, has been created  by  a scanner in order to facilitate the surveying and assessment phase, as well as to better manage construction and optimise future maintenance.

The main objectives of this project of immense technical and artistic value are to ensure the safety and seismic strengthening of the Basilica, and the protection of the monument's significant historical and artistic value.